Gloom at Major European Art Fair As Boom in Sales Seen Over

ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2009

Bacon fails to sell as Christie’s feels the crunch Gloom at major European art fair as boom in sales seen over MADRID, Feb 12, (Agencies): A gloomy air end we will sell less than last year,” said “There is a very, very low cash flow but I private collectors in India, the nation’s boom- surrounds ARCO, one of Europe’s biggest Floor Wullems, the director of the Annet think it is still a good investment for people, ing economy and the constant appreciation in contemporary art fairs, with particants pre- Gelink gallery in Amsterdam which dis- better than houses or stocks,” he said. value of its artists make the Indian market dicting the global financial crisis will put an played mostly black and white photographs The items on display at ARCO from “one of the most promising focal points for end to the boom in sales enjoyed in recent at the fair. Pescali’s gallery, which focuses on works contemporary art in the 21st century.” years. A total of 238 galleries from 32 nations are from Italy, ranged in price from 5,000 euros “In recent months India has become, with- “Before people would buy fast and then taking part in ARCO this year, 57 fewer gal- to 2.5 million euros ($3.2 million). out a doubt, the big star in the art market,” think about it, people now take their time to leries than in 2008 when the event drew a Some participating artists, like Britain’s ARCO organisers said in a statement posted decide,” said Fiona Liewehr, the director of record 200,000 visitors. Jodie Carey, whose works include sculptures on their website. Georg Karyl Fine Arts gallery in Vienna ARCO director Lourdes Fernandez said made up of plaster replicas of bones, believe Also: which has taken part in the fair each year some foreign galleries declined to take part in the global economic slowdown could be an LONDON: The top lot at an auction of con- since 2002. the six-day fair this year because of the glob- opportunity for younger artists like herself. temporary art failed to sell late on Among the items the gallery brought to al economic crisis. “Galleries are interested in lower prices, Wednesday, reversing the fortunes of ARCO, which opened Wednesday and runs “It is undeniable that the economic reces- and that is an opportunity for the new gener- Christie’s which held a relatively robust auc- until Monday, was a black replica of a skele- sion will affect the fair,” she told reporters on ations,” the 27-year-old told daily newspaper tion of impressionist and post-war art in ton that hung upright inside a wooden crate the eve of ARCO’s opening. “Sales will not Publico. London earlier this month. marked “fragile” in red letters by US artist be like in past years, but they will not be bad. The fair is turning its spotlight on emerg- Francis Bacon’s “Man in Blue VI”, expect- Mark Dion. We want to convince people that, even ing markets once again this year, with India ed to fetch £4-£6 million in London, was During boom times, contemporary art was though there is a crisis, art in a very important as the featured country. Brazil was the spot- shunned, and overall the post-war and con- sought after by the new rich as a badge of component in people’s lives, it is enriching lighted nation in 2008. temporary sale raised £8.4 million ($12.1 affluence as much as luxury cars and brand- and a good investment,” she added. Thirteen galleries and 50 artists are taking million), far below the expected range of ed jewellery. Fallen part in the “Panorama India showcase put £15.1-£21.8 million. But with Spain and most major European Daniele Pescali, who runs the Imago Art together by Mumbai-based curator Bose At the same sale last year, a Bacon triptych economies facing their worst recession in gallery in London, said now is a good time to Krishnamachari who said he had sought to sold for £26.3 million and the sale fetched years, art galleries are finding it harder to sell Two women, view an art work called ‘Last Supper – Gaza’ by Vivek Vilasini,from India invest in contemporary art since prices have highlight “talent and creativity” during reces- £72.9 million, then the second highest total contemporary works. at the ARCO International Art Fair in Madrid, Feb 11. India is the guest country at fallen between 15 and 25 percent over the sionary times. for a Christie’s contemporary and post-war “People have no money to spend. In the ARCO this year. (AP) past six months. Organisers said the rise in the number of sale held in London.

click art Latest Continued from Page 25 25653006. E-mail: membership@darmuseum.org.kw Website: www.darmuseum.org.kw Moderated by: Ahmed Khaja. Dr Marina Tolmacheva is the President of the American University of Kuwait (AUK). The winner of a number of prestigious grants and fellowships, she contributed many articles to academic publications and published The Pate Chronicle in Swahili and English. In addition, Dr Tolmacheva contributed several chapters to the four-volume series ‘Arabic sources for the ethnography and history of Africa south of the Sahara’ in Arabic and Russian. Prior to joining AUK, she taught history and Islamic civilization at Washington NEW YORK, Feb 12, (AP): State University, where she was Director of The rusty, crumpled, metal the Asia Program and an Associate Dean. shell sits in a large room, thousands of miles (kilome- Feb 17 ters) from a popular Iraqi KTAA monthly meeting: The Kuwait book market where the car Textile Arts Association (KTAA) under the was destroyed in a suicide auspices of Al-Sadu House warmly invites bomb attack that killed 38 you to its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Feb people in 2007. 17, at 07:00 pm. Doors open at 06:30 pm. The car, a raw reminder of The guest speaker this month is Noha Al the six-year Iraqi conflict, Mansour. This highly acclaimed Kuwaiti is the only fashion designer will speak on her new cloth- object in a ing line in which she has incorporated Sadu new show designs. The venue is Al-Sadu House, Arabian Gulf whose goal Street. Entry is free to members. Non-mem- is to get bers are required to pay KD2/-. For more people talk- information please contact: ing about [email protected] Iraq. Meant to be Feb 18 politically Deller Yarn & Fibre group meeting: In neutral, the January the Yarn and Fibre group, a sub- unscripted project, “It Is group of the Kuwait Textile Art Association, What It Is: Conversations was revived at Sadu House. This group is About Iraq,” opened at the back in action to address the need for fibre art New Museum on activity in the KTAA community. Wednesday. It was con- There was a ‘show and tell’ from partici- pants plus an interesting talk and slide-show ceived by British artist by Dr Ali Najadah, Assistant Professor of Jeremy Deller, acclaimed Design, a weaving consultant to Sadu House for his collaborative proj- and a well-known international artist. ects. It is envisaged that people bring their own Deller has arranged a cozy handwork to work on during the monthly cluster of couches in the meetings plus share their skills in a relaxed center of the vast gallery — environment. the kind of space that Please join us on 3rd Wednesday morning invites conversation. The of each month. Next meeting is Feb 18 at car, which he variously six-week exhibition. Creative Times, a New who spent 10 months in While violence in Baghdad 09:30 am at Sadu House on the Gulf road. All Deller launched the project York City arts organiza- northwest Baghdad in is noticeably down today, welcome. describes as a metaphor for Please contact Patricia Redding at ktaa- a corpse or a piece of evi- because “short of going to tion. 2007, is one of the two resi- another of the experts, [email protected] or 99368147, or dence, lies off to the right. Iraq itself, there is no sub- After closing in New York dents making the trip who Nour Al-Khal, hopes to Phillipa Anderson, 97349046. It is the touchstone of the stitute for meeting someone on March 25, Deller and hopes to deepen the Iraqi convey through her own project, a visual aid for who has actually lived two of the residents and a understanding beyond the experience the fear and A car that was blown up Feb 20 sparking conversation there, or been there,” he curator will board an RV headlines. destruction that has con- in an attack on a crowd- IPC courses: The Women section of Islam among the public and a said. The 42-year-old artist for a cross-country trip to Esam Pasha, a 32-year-old sumed the lives of Iraqis ed book market in central Presentation Committee will be conducting a rotating cast of Iraqi won Britain’s Turner Prize California, the destroyed Iraqi artist who now lives until recently. Baghdad is on display as new course for ladies irrespective of their reli- refugees, soldiers, journal- in 2004 for “Memory car in tow. They will stop in in New London, Al-Khal was working as a part of exhibit entitled ‘It gions in Arabic Language accessible for ists and other experts offer- Bucket,” a documentary on at least 10 major cities, Connecticut, is also going translator for British and Is What It Is: beginners and higher level starting on Feb 20. ing their perspectives on former President George pulling up at community on the trip. He wants to American journalists when Conversations About Iraq’ Islamic Subjects and Quran classes are also Iraq and the war. W. Bush’s hometown of centers, Army bases, veter- focus on Iraq’s rich her- she and a freelance reporter, a collaborative project offered in different languages starting on Feb Among them are Donny Crawford, Texas, and the ans organizations and ran- itage, art and culture. Steven Vincent, were kid- conceived by artist 22. Arabic class is available on Fridays. Jeremy Deller at the New Register now. Call Rawdah 22512257, George Youkhanna, who siege on the Branch dom sites such as truck Americans “all know that napped, beaten, interrogat- 97290278, Salmiya 25733263, 99847624. was director of the Iraqi Davidian compound in stops. Iraq had the oldest culture ed and shot by a death Museum, in New York. ❑ ❑ ❑ National Museum when he nearby Waco. On April 17, they will in the world, the first writ- squad in Basra in 2005. (AP ) was forced to flee because “It Is What It Is” — a term arrive at the Hammer ten word, but that’s about Vincent did not survive. FPBL 6th Conf League: FPBL 6th as a Christian, a religious often used by the military Museum, where the project it,” Pasha said. He was a “I want them to hear my Conference Basketball League; confirmed to rationalize casualties — will remain until May 31. frequent visitor to the story. I want to show them teams for 5’10” & Under (All Filipino Cup) minority in Iraq, his life Contact Persons: 1. Fil-Am Kuwait, Jess, was in danger. Now a visit- is a two-pronged project, In early October, it will famed Mutanabi Street we’re real, not something 66409866; 2. Mark Ali, Sonny, 66051618; 3. ing professor at the State created in collaboration move to the MCA in book market — a thriving in their imagination,” said Freight Liner, Kapatid, 67393408; 4. OLMG University of New York at with the Hammer Museum Chicago. gathering place for Iraq’s Al-Khal, who now lives in Kuwait, Darwin, 66862137; 5. Kapamilya Stony Brook, Long Island, in Los Angeles, the Jonathan Harvey, 31, a intellectuals and artists — New York City. “People Rest, Lito, 65821630; 6. Mss Kuwait, John he is one of 35 expert resi- Museum of Contemporary psychological warfare spe- where the car in the exhibi- need to see us face to face Arante, 66348631; 7. 69 ‘RS, Rally, dents participating in the Art in Chicago and cialist for the US Army tion was destroyed. to see the problem.” 66421787; 8. Le Monde Cafe, Josun Rivera, 55890301. Coaches and teams’ representatives are kindly requested to attend the final meeting and submit the team roster, etc on Feb 20, 2009 (2:00 pm) at Fahaheel Sports Club. The said conference will start on Feb 27, 2009. For more details please contact: brated on Friday, Feb 20. The venue for this will be as follows: opening of the 5th (FPBL) Basketball Tony Lucero, #66082351; Rollie Abenales, year’s Family Day is Al-Hashemi-II at Day Time meetings on Feb 25, 26 & 28 Tournament is re-scheduled on March 13, to #66006206; Jojo Magbanua, 66620453; Radisson SAS Hotel, Mangaf. The program (Wednesday, Thursday & Friday) at 09:00 am be held at Fahaheel Sports Club, State of Bobits Peteros, 66140295. shall start at 10 am and will continue until in the NECK premises, Kuwait City. Kuwait. ❑ ❑ ❑ 4pm. It will be a day full of fun, entertainment Evening Meetings on Feb 25, 26, 27 & 28 We are inviting All-Star Teams to join this Desert Pioneers Toastmasters Club: and surprises. (Wednesday to Saturday) at 07:00 pm in the Indoor Basketball Competition. Deadline of Desert Pioneers Toastmasters Club is very All those members who are interested to NECK premises at 07:00 PM. submission of entry will be on Feb 28. The please to inform and invite English speaking attend are requested to contact IEI, chapter All are welcome. For more details please categories are 5’10” and Under All Filipino audience to witness the Speech Contest that office by Tel 22445588 ext 314 between 6 pm contact Joseph Mathew, Phone – 66012310. Conference. We do limit the number of teams will be held on Feb 13 and Feb 20 at Rezayat to 08:30 pm Sunday through Thursday or by to 10 or 12, to allow all teams to play every Villa in Salmiya. email [email protected] Feb 26 Friday throughout the tournament. First come, The Humorous and Evaluation contests Music Theory Examination: The Don First serve. will be held on the 13th from 5:00 pm Feb 25 Bosco Music Center and IBMC is conducting For more details please contact: Tony - 66082351, Rolly - 66658755; Jojo 66620453 onwards and the International Speech and the Dr Bernard meetings: It is our great priv- a Music Theory Examination on Feb 26, 10 and Bobits - 66140295. Table Topics will be held on the 20th Feb ilege to invite you with family, friends & rela- am onwards, in Don Bosco, Salmiya for all 5:00 pm onwards. tives for the Divine Blessing 2009 grades. It is open to all. It is ideal for students For more details, please contact Surya March 1 Conventions. Dr Bernard from Ghana, West preparing for the ABRSM (London) examina- Prakash at 7200187, Hasayanar Pareed at Africa will be the ministering in these meet- tion. For details please call 25633459 or Spring 1 Arabic Course (2009): The 9257094; Xavier Muthu at 9985-0173, to 99523789. know more. You may also visit our website at ings. He is the president of Rescue Life AWARE Center is glad to announce that the International, is a world renowned minister, Spring 1 Arabic Course will begin on March www.toastmasters.org. Feb 28 ❑ ❑ ❑ visited more than 100 nations, provides men- 1, 2009 until April 13, 2009 (Introductory toring leadership and support to worldwide State apartment warders look towards a painting by Anthony Van Dyck of Britain’s FPBL tournament rescheduled: begins on March 1 till April 2, 2009). The IEI Kuwait Chapter Family Day: IEI, leaders. Princess Mary dated around 1637, as it hangs in Hampton Court Palace near Fahaheel Pinoy Basketball League (FPBL) AWARE Center offers Arabic classes on a Kuwait Chapter is pleased to announce that Dr Bernard will be ministering in Kuwait London, Feb 11. The painting has been returned to the palace after more than 360 Fahaheel, State of Kuwait. like every year Family Day 2009 will be cele- for different programs. The program schedule years, and will go on display to the public from Feb 12. (AP) Attention! All Basketball enthusiasts, the Continued on Page 27